Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) will make an equity investment in BA Sports Nutrition, owner of premium sports drinks brand Bodyarmor SuperDrink.
The US$20 million investment gives DPS an 11.7% ownership position in BA Sports Nutrition.
DPS has carried Bodyarmor as an allied brand in much of its direct store delivery network since 2013 and plans to expand the product line further in its system over the next year.
“We’ve been pleased with Bodyarmor’s growth over the past two years and believe it has strong potential as a premium sports drink,” said Rodger Collins, DPS president of packaged beverages.
“It’s already a great part of our allied brand portfolio, it has a management team with the experience and passion to succeed, and we’re looking forward to contributing to that growth and success over the long term.”
The beverage was launched in 2012 by Mike Repole and Lance Collins.
In 2013, basketball superstar Kobe Bryant became a significant investor in the company.
Bodyarmor is made with potassium-packed electrolytes, coconut water and vitamins and is sweetened with pure cane sugar.
It does not contain artificial colors and flavors.
The range is available in seven flavors.
This partnership marks the second time DPS and Mike Repole have teamed up to grow an emerging beverage brand.
Prior to launching Bodyarmor, Repole was a co-founder of vitaminwater, which experienced substantial growth in DPS’ legacy bottling and distribution system from 2000 to 2007.
